King James Version

What Does Exodus 14:27 Mean?

Exodus 14:27 in the King James Version says “And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. overthrew: Heb. shook off

Exodus 14:27 · KJV


Context

25

And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians. that they: or, and made them to go heavily

26

And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.

27

And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. overthrew: Heb. shook off

28

And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.

29

But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses' obedience—'stretched forth his hand over the sea'—again activates judgment. The timing 'when the morning appeared' (at dawn) means Egyptians saw the wall of water returning. The phrase 'the sea returned to his strength' indicates waters resumed their natural course violently. Egypt's attempt to flee came too late—'the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.' God didn't merely allow drowning; He actively overthrew them.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The morning light revealed the returning waters. Egypt's attempted flight showed they recognized danger but couldn't escape. The sea's violence in returning to its place swept away the entire force.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the sea 'returning to its strength' picture natural order resuming to judge those who oppose God?
  2. What does the LORD actively overthrowing rather than passively allowing destruction teach about judgment's nature?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיֵּט֩1 of 20

stretched forth

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

מֹשֶׁ֨ה2 of 20

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶת3 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יָד֜וֹ4 of 20

his hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עַל5 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַיָּֽם׃6 of 20

and the sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

וַיָּ֨שָׁב7 of 20

returned

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

הַיָּֽם׃8 of 20

and the sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

לִפְנ֥וֹת9 of 20

appeared

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

בֹּ֙קֶר֙10 of 20

when the morning

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

לְאֵ֣יתָנ֔וֹ11 of 20

to his strength

H386

permanence; hence (concrete) permanent; specifically a chieftain

מִצְרַ֖יִם12 of 20

and the Egyptians

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

נָסִ֣ים13 of 20

fled

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

לִקְרָאת֑וֹ14 of 20

against

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

וַיְנַעֵ֧ר15 of 20

overthrew

H5287

to tumble about

יְהוָ֛ה16 of 20

it and the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶת17 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִצְרַ֖יִם18 of 20

and the Egyptians

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

בְּת֥וֹךְ19 of 20

in the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

הַיָּֽם׃20 of 20

and the sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 14:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 14:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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